Who is eligible for vocational rehabilitation services?
If you served in the Armed Forces after September 15, 1940, you are eligible to apply for vocational rehabilitation benefits for the 12-year period following either your discharge date. 38 C.F.R. 21.41. You must need rehabilitation to overcome an employment handicap, regardless of the percentage of disability rating awarded. 38 C.F.R. 21.40(b). You must also meet one of these three conditions: You have a service-connected disability of 20 percent or more, which would entitle you to 20 percent compensation, or would do so if you did not receive military retirement pay. 38 C.F.R. 21.40(a)(1). You may also be eligible if you have less than a 20 percent disability rating and if you have a serious employment handicap and filed an original application before November 1, 1990. 38 C.F.R. 21.40(a)(3); or You were discharged or released under other than dishonorable conditions, or you are hospitalized awaiting discharge or release for a disability which will likely be rated at 20 percent or more
